- Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 50 - 70 Feet
- Mature Spread 50 - 70 Feet
- Growing Zones 2 - 6
You can’t help but notice the tall, stately Paper Birch, or Betula Papyrifera, growing in the landscape. The state tree of New Hampshire, it’s known for its white bark that peels off in sheets, and was once used for roofs and canoes. Its foliage is deep-green in the summer and turns golden-orange and yellow in the fall. In addition to being tall, animals love the Paper Birch for nesting and feeding on its bark.
The Paper Birch is a tall tree, native to Canada and the northern United States, growing 50 to 70 feet tall and 35 feet wide. It can grow 13 to 24 inches per year, and has an oval, open-branching habit. It has simple green leaves that are 2 to 4 inches long. It produces brown or green catkins in April and May. Paper Birch trees produce small, smooth, oval seeds nestled between two wings. They can be planted as stand alone trees, as part of a grove, or in bunches.
Paper Birch Care
Your Paper Birch prefers well-drained soils of most textures that are slightly acidic or neutral in pH. Paper Birch like areas with cool, moist weather. They need to receive at least 4 hours of sunlight or more per day. The Paper Birch has a shallow, fibrous root-system that needs consistent moisture, although it is moderately drought tolerant after establishing.
The best time to prune a Birch tree is late summer to early fall. Pruning at this time avoids sap flows and makes the tree less susceptible to birch tree borers, which can kill the tree. Cut side shoots or any diseased branches first. Be conservative and do not remove more than 25 percent of the tree. Never cut the top of the tree.
Paper Birch Spacing
Paper Birch trees need to be spaced 15 to 20 feet apart, and at least the same distance away from walls or sidewalks. Avoid planting them under power lines due to their height. If you are grouping them together, plant the trees 6 to 10 feet apart. Paper Birch trees have fibrous, earth-prone, root-systems so it may be challenging to plant companions directly underneath them.
Paper Birch Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 - 6 |
Plant Type: Trees |
Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 50 - 70 Feet |
Mature Spread: 25 - 50 Feet |
Spacing: 25 - 50 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Green, Brown |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Deciduous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: Gold Fall Color |
Seasonal Interest: Fall Interest |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Disease, Pests & Insects |
Tolerates: Heat |
Attracts: Birds |
Container Role: |
Uses: Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
Brand: American Beauties Native Plants |
Common Name: Paper Birch |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: BETULA PAPYRIFERA - CLUMP |
- SKU:
- 1231010469-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
For more detailed information, please click here.
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Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.